Seed Oil Free?
- Misleading labeling
- Oil adulteration fraud
- Hidden seed oils
- False claims
- Physician-authored Standards
- Independent lab testing
- Auditing & surveillance
- Evidence-based education
The Seal Makes It Real.
Certification Overview
What Seed Oil Free Certified Means
Seed Oil Free Certified means that foods bearing our trademarked seal are free from all seed oils, backed by independent lab testing.
The Seed Oil Free Certified Seal appears on product packages, restaurant menus, and marketing materials from qualifying companies that achieve certification and license the seal.
Any retail food company or restaurant with eligible food products can Apply for Seed Oil Free Certification. Our physician-authored Seed Oil Free Standards define allowed and disallowed ingredients, requirements for companies, and more.
Seed Oil Free Certified means foods are... | ||
Free from seed oils including | Free from other ingredients like... | Only made with allowed oils and fats such as... |
Soybean Oil | Artificially hydrogenated oils and fats | Avocado oil |
Corn Oil | Esterified propoxylated glycerol | Butter and ghee |
Canola Oil | Interesterified oils and fats | Coconut oil |
Sunflower Oil | Lecithin from canola, corn, rice bran, safflower or soy | Oils from algae or fermentation |
Peanut Oil | Mineral oil | Olive oil |
Grapeseed Oil | Natural or artificial flavors with undeclared seed oils | Tallow and other animal fats |
Safflower Oil | Oils and fats with artificial preservatives or other added synthetic ingredients | |
Rice bran oil | ||
Cottonseed Oil | ||
Flaxseed Oil |
Read the Consumers Guide to Seed Oil Free Certification to learn more about what our seal means for consumers.
Why We’re Helping The Food Industry Switch To Healthier Oils & Fats
The average American consumes 201, 2-30%3 of daily calories from highly refined seed oils like soybean, corn, and canola oil. While they’re incredibly common ingredients today and difficult for consumers to avoid, this wasn’t always the case.
Highly refined seed oils are a relatively recent addition to the human diet, first appearing in the early 20th century when the industrial technology to profitably extract them emerged. Since then, consumption has steadily grown each decade.4
The reason for such high levels of consumption, plain and simple, is cost. No consumer is intentionally obtaining a quarter or more of their daily calories from soybean oil or other seed oils. No, these oils are ubiquitous in food because they’re cheap.
But there’s now a growing grassroots movement to reduce or eliminate seed oils in favor of healthier oils and fats.
The Seed Oil Free Alliance helps align the financial incentives of conscientious companies with the buying preferences of health-conscious consumers seeking to avoid seed oils. We provide fact-based consumer education and assist our brand partners with positioning, messaging, marketing support, and retail sales growth data.
Our Seed Oil Free Certified seal allows companies to showcase their commitment to public health, product quality, and ingredient integrity.
Making the switch from highly refined seed oils to better-for-you ingredients isn’t always an easy decision for companies, but it’s the right decision. We don’t shame companies for using seed oils — it’s never too late to learn and do better.
Our Pillars
Public Health: The health effects of seed oil overconsumption are subject to conflicting scientific findings and varied interpretations. However, consumers have a right to make informed purchasing decisions based on clear product labeling and evidence-based education.
Product Quality: Inexpensive, highly refined seed oils lack the heritage and culinary benefits of premium oils and fats. Food companies can win over consumers by switching to tastier, higher-quality oils and fats.
Ingredient Integrity: Our independent testing conducted in an ISO 17025-accredited lab proves that oil and fat ingredients are pure and don’t contain any undisclosed seed oils. We also uphold the Seed Oil Free Standards with auditing, finished goods surveillance, and more.
Explore the Standards
The Seed Oil Free Standards define requirements for companies and their products, allowed and disallowed ingredients for certification, and other certification details.
Learn About Our Process
Our industry-leading Seed Oil Free Certification process ensures all certified products are free of harmful seed oils, with laboratory testing and auditing to protect consumers and companies.
Check Pricing
Qualifying companies are eligible to license the trademarked Seed Oil Free Certified seal for use on product packages, menus, and other marketing materials for an annual flat fee. Testing fees are itemized on a per-ingredient basis for each distinct oil or refined fat used in offerings.
Determine Your Eligibility
You’ll review a simple ingredient checklist and supply a few other details to check your CPG or food service company’s eligibility, then receive pre-qualification and guidance on applying for the Seed Oil Free Certification.